[Guide] Competitive Analysis: Coatlith

[shademonkey]

I've found a super useful tool that lets you find the most efficient way to optimise general bulk when distributing defensive EVs. I knew that sometimes it's ok to just dump the leftover EVs in HP, and that on the contrary for mons that already have a high HP BS it's better to boost the defenses. This tool provides the precise spread to use if you want to optimise your EV distribution.

You can find a discussion here and the applet here.
I've edited the spreads in my previous post accordingly so watch out.

I repeat, the EV spread on Chlorophyll sets has to be thought out for when the sun is not up. And I'm definitely not a big fan of putting only the 4 last EV in Speed.
Modest 4 Speed EV Coatlith has a final Speed stat of 121 at level 50, which means all the pokemon that are fully invested in Speed (nature + EVs) and have a Speed BS of at least 60 can outspeed it. That's a lot.
I picked a Modest nature because, ideally, this mon needs more extra power than it does speed.
I reckon the immediate slower threats to the feathered snake would be Ice Punch Empirilla and the rare non-scarfed Laissure with Ice Fang. The following spread lets Coatlith outspeed them just fine when the sun is not up.
Timid natured, 252 SpAtk, 220 Speed, 36HP/either one of the defenses.
If you're not too scared of these two or have something else on your team that can reliably deal with them, you can lower your speed just above that of Splendifowl and Nimflora :
Timid natured, 252 SpAtk, 204 Speed, 52
The only pokemon Coatlith can outspeed with a Modest nature are those with a Speed BS of 85 like non-mega Electruxo, Frikitiki, Krilvolver, or non-Petrify Chimaconda.
Modest Natured, 252 SpAtk, 244 Speed, 12 HP.
Feel free to add these spreads to the original post. They were all calculated from level 50 pokemon.

I think the point of using Cholrophyll users is to use them in the sun whenever possible, so not fully investing in speed in exchange for more HP is a worthy trade off if you consistently switch over to your Sun setter when its about to go down. You can run it with full/mostly full Speed investment with a Modest nature if that is your choice as well, but that in of itself sacrifice the scant bulk the leavern has. Sure, and Ice Punch/Fang/General move is a death sentence, but the onus is on the player to recognize possible threats to their own Pokémon, and react accordingly.
Essentially, Dragonstrike's EV spread being optimized solely for Coalith being used under the Sun isn't bad, just different. I've seen Mega Swampert sets based on that same philosophy, so its not unheard of!

The thing is, the official games provide much more ways to set and keep weathers up : more mons with weather-inducing abilities, the 3 weather rocks, a wider variety of weather inducers that don't need to abuse rain/harsh sunlight themselves... A well-made team won't have too much trouble setting up theirs for a long 7-8 turns repeatedly so it's no wonder team builders consider their sets under altered field conditions. Uranium is nowhere near this situation at the moment. And keep in mind that Yatagaryu messes with weather shenanigans and is a popular pick. I know you're gonna answer with Dunseraph being able to cancel the thunder storm but at this point the damage is already done, your weather's gone.

I reckon the immediate slower threats to the feathered snake would be Ice Punch Empirilla and the rare non-scarfed Laissure with Ice Fang. The following spread lets Coatlith outspeed them just fine when the sun is not up.
Timid natured, 252 SpAtk, 220 Speed, 36HP/either one of the defenses.

Hmm... That spread sounds perfect for my Coatlith, especially since I somewhat see the brightened Sun as a pleasant appreciated bonus if I manage to set it up successfully and not directly as something that HAS to be present AT ALL COSTS while my grassy Dragon is on the field.

That's what I think as well. Plus, Coatlith fares decently well even when not under the sun with an interesting speed tier and acceptable defenses.